Our loving father, brother and friend, Terence James Kern, age 77, passed away on April 30, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Terry was born in Swansea, Wales on March 14, 1938 to Clifford James and Doris Hilda Voyle Kern.
Terry was an accomplished musical artist with many accolades within his profession. Terry graduated from the University of Wales and went on to study piano and conducting at the Guildhall School of Music in London. After studying with Nadia Boulanger and Constantin Silvestri, he won the school\s coveted Conductors Prize. Conducting became a calling that would take him around the world. He began his career as Staff Conductor for the Sadler\s Wells Opera Company (now the English National Opera). In 1972, he became the Music Director of the London Festival Ballet, a position he held for eight years. During this time, he made major ballet recordings for E.M.I. In 1980, Terry became the Music Director for the Scottish Ballet and later for the Joffrey Ballet. While working with Joffrey, Terry also conducted most of the leading symphony orchestras in the United States. Terry traveled the world as a freelance conductor. His freelance conducting positions with Ballet West led to a permanent position with the Company as Music Director and Principal Conductor in 1988.
Terry was renowned throughout the dance world and deeply respected by everyone he worked with. New York Times dance critic Alastair Macaulay, in a 2010 article referred to Kern as \"one of the most expert ballet conductors in America.\"
A recent article published stated, \"Mr. Kern\s contributions to Ballet West cannot be overstated. He was well-known in the ballet world, having enjoyed a great international career. ....Terry touched countless artists and patrons over many decades and thousands of performances.\"
\Terry was a wonderful man and a brilliant artist who had a deep knowledge of his craft and special understanding of ballet and ballet music.\" Said ballet West Artistic Director, Adam Sklute, \"He was also a link to our heritage and our history. There will be fewer and fewer people left in this world who worked so closely with such greats as Ashton, Dolin, Fonteyn, Joffrey, Markova, Nureyev, Beryl Grey and more. His contributions to the Dance world will never be matched and he will be missed forever.\"
A memorial gathering will be held on Monday evening, May 18, 2015 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Ballet West, 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, Utah. Terry\s family will be in attendance to receive guests in his honor. Please leave online condolences for the family at www.larkinmortuary.com.
\"Terry was a remarkable man who made a difference in the lives of many people and a lasting impact in the world of ballet.\"
